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Drawing Some Conclusions From Gators' Win Against Canes

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Five things about the Florida Gators that I believe I believe:

1. No team in the country buys in to special-teams play more whole-heartedly than the players at Florida.

While Coach Urban Meyer makes no secret of the importance he places on special teams, the same speech is often given by other programs.

But consider this from freshman Jeffrey Demps when asked what felt better - busting a 62-yard touchdown run in the season opener against Hawaii or blocking a Miami punt in the end zone Saturday night for a safety?

"Definitely the punt block," Demps said. "Because, nine out of 10 times, Coach Meyer tells us, if you block a punt you win the game. It was a great feeling to block the punt because I knew the crowd would go wild and it did."

2. The jury is still out on whether Florida's running back position is as improved as originally expected. The speed and numbers that Florida can send at opponents does promise that any carry might go the distance, but quarterback Tim Tebow continues to appear the only option for the gritty workhorse yards.

Emmanuel Moody, the 6-foot, 210-pound sophomore transfer from USC, seemed a likely answer to short-yardage power situations, but so far has been no factor.

Bothered by a sore ankle, he carried only twice against Hawaii and never touched the ball vs. Miami despite being healthy.

"We are going to revaluate that this week," Meyer said. "We are going to get him involved in the game plan. We have to do that. Too good a player."

3. Florida's decision to kick a 29-yard field goal with 28 seconds left while already leading by 20 had nothing to do with sportsmanship - or the lack of - as Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon suggested.

It was nothing more than preparation for the future, giving placekicker Jonathan Phillips his first field-goal attempt of the year with a trip to Tennessee - where three points could come in handy - next on the schedule.

4. Pass defense has been the most improved segment of this year's Gators.

The Gators were last in the SEC last year against the pass and gave up the most points by a UF team in decades. Nothing caused Florida fans to brace for the worst more than preseason talk about stopping opponents' passing game.

In two games, the UF secondary has allowed 181 and 61 yards.

"A year ago, it was like a sieve the way balls were being completed on us," Meyer said.

5. Punter Chaz Henry will be the unsung hero if Florida goes on to live up to its championship aspirations.

He won the field position battle for Florida against Miami, repeatedly getting the Gators away from their own end zone during early-game offensive struggles, and later angled one out at the UM 1.

NATIONAL TV FOR UT: Florida's Sept. 20 SEC opener at Tennessee will be televised nationally by CBS, it was officially announced Monday.

While the Gators are off this week, Tennessee, which lost its opener in OT to UCLA, will play UAB.

CUNNINGHAM HONORED: Gators junior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his play during Florida's victory over Miami.

Cunningham collected nine total tackles (five solo) with two for a loss, including a quarterback sack for a loss of 8 yards. He leads the teams in total tackles (11), tackles for a loss (3.5) and sacks (2.5).

TWO IN A ROW: Florida volleyball player Kristy Jaeckel was named SEC Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week, only the fifth player in league history to accomplish the feat.

Jaeckel leads the team and ranks second in the SEC with 3.87 kills per set and is eighth in hitting percentage with a .342 clip.

She is the only freshman to rank in the league's top 10 in both kills and hitting percentage.

UF SHORTS

NEW TICKET OPTIONS: The Gator Ticket Office is launching an enhanced ticketing system that will include online ticket sales and account management.

Partnering with Ticketmaster, beginning with season-ticket renewals for the men's and women's 2008-09 basketball seasons, fans will be able to buy tickets, renew season tickets, check booster accounts and pay contributions online.

SOUND BITE: "When you are dealing with 18- to 22-year-olds, momentum is everything. When you lose it, you have to find a way to regain it. We were able to do that." - QB Tim Tebow explaining Saturday night's 17-point fourth quarter.

SEC BY NUMBERS: The SEC continues to have the most teams ranked in this week's AP and Coaches Top 25 polls. The SEC has five teams ranked along with the Big 12. All five of the SEC teams that are ranked are in the top 11.

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